Join the fun near San Rafael. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. San Rafael is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your San Rafael camping trip.
$8 - $18 / night
End your travel day where we'll spoil you, and explore the beauty and history of the high desert. Setup is a breeze at this award-winning KOA! Enjoy 85-foot-long Pull-Thru RV Sites with up to 50-amp service and plenty of room for slide-outs, as well as Tent Sites and Camping Cabins. Let the staff provide supper (March-October), with Campground Cuisine dinners delivered to your site. Kids will enjoy a romp on the playground, and your K9 pals can get their exercise at the on-site KampK9. You can also take a relaxing stroll among ancient lava beds here. End the evening with free wireless internet and cable TV as you rest up for your next day's adventures, then start your morning with a free continental breakfast. Perhaps you'll extend your stay to explore more of the beauty and history of northwestern New Mexico. Grants KOA makes it easy for you to have an enjoyable time while you are in the area. Max pull thru: 85 feet.
$45 / night
El Morro National Monument operates a nine-site campground year-round. First come-first served. Each site has a graveled tent pad, picnic table and ground grill for fires. During the warmer months, water is available at spigots that are centrally located along the campground loop road. Once the overnight low's begin to reach freezing temperatures, water is turned off for the season. There are no hookups for RVs. The length limit on all motor homes is 27 feet overall. One site, #5, is handicapped accessible.
Lavaland RV Park is conveniently located right off I-40 on exit 85. Amenities include pet friendly areas, horseshoes, laundry, bathroom/showers, and an onsite brewery. We are in close proximity to several national parks and monuments. Bluewater lake, El Morro National Monument, El Malpais, La Ventana Arch, Bandera Crater, and The Ice Caves are just a few local attractions that are worth the visit.
$40 - $50 / night
$15 - $40 / night
Coal Mine Campground is situated in the upper portion of the Cibola National Forest in west-central New Mexico. Visitors can enjoy hiking the Lobo Canyon Trail, as well as picnicking and scenic driving.
The Lobo Canyon Trail begins in the campground and leads hikers access a network of trails in the area. Some trails are still under constuction.Visitors also enjoy picnicking in the surrounding area.
The campground is located northeast of the town of Grants at an elevation of 7,400 feet. It lies on the top of a hill, with campsites situated on gently sloping ground. A forest of mature pine, juniper and oak trees surrounds the campground.
The El Malpais National Monument and Conservation Area can be accessed from various points within a short drive of the campground. Its extensive, ancient lava flow landscape and other scenic features draw tourists year-round. Points of interest within the monument and conservation area include the Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center, Sandstone Bluffs Overlook and La Ventana Natural Arch. A portion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail parallels the Zuni-Acoma Trail as it passes through the monument.The city of Grants is about 12 miles from the campground, offering dining and lodging options. The city also boasts a mining museum with gem and mineral displays and a self-guided tour into an underground world.
A $10.00 service charge will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees. For full details see NRRS Reservation Policy.
$10 / night
Scout
The gate at the end of the road is closed Dec. 15 to March 31. Parked outside the gate for the night. Looks like a nice area if I could get there. Don't drive the road after a rain.
Guide
Easy to find and quiet campground with trash cans and bathrooms.
Guide
$18 rate if you mention the billboards on the highway, but $22 otherwise so it's a good deal. Park is close to the casino, pretty level sites, clean, with full hookups (including sewer), no riffraff. Call the casino hotel front desk, or stop in at the front desk to register. Only about 10% of sites occupied when I was there in December.
Big truck stop gas station across the street if you need anything. Casino has a buffet restaurant and another bar to watch the game. Ended up staying an extra night to get prime rib on Saturday.
Security will drive you back and forth to the casino if you request, but it's only a 5 minute walk.
ScoutThe wash to get into the campground is steep on both sides. We drug a bit on the way in and a lot on the way out.we have a silverback 37bh that specs say is 39'11". Would not try it again. The campground is awesome though. Quiet with trash receptacles and vault toilets. Amazing dark sky view of the stars. Mostly empty.
ScoutGreat Dispersed Camp Ground less than 20 minutes off of I-40 that will accommodate all types of camping from tents to large trailers. (There is a dip in the gravel road leading up to the camp ground that did scrape my jack but I think if you hit it at an angle it might be OK.)
Within 20 feet of my campsite site I could see for miles of the gorgeous valley.
Each camp site has a fire pit, grill, and picnic tables covered with a roof and has a nice pit toilet and trash within a very short walking distance.
I am here in the beginning of November and it is chilly and about to get downright cold with expected snow tomorrow, down to 16 degrees the next night, even though it looks more like the desert.
I have a very good signal with Verizon, TMobile is low.
Water is available at the Ranger Station up the road, and Walmart Super Center and other stores within 20-30 minutes.
TravelerThis is an amazing little free first come first serve campground. Well maintained gravel roads. Each site has a nice covered picnic table with pedestal grill and fire ring. Sites can accommodate tent/car camping up to larger travel trailers/rv’s, we camped in a 30ft class c and there was a 35-40 ft bus in one site. Beware there is a large dip in the road as you enter the campground we drove through at an angle but still drug the rear bumper skids. There are pit toilets and garbage boxes but no water available.
Traveler
Coal Mine campground is a beautiful little campground with paved roads & spots, picnic table and fire ring at each site. It is primitive camping with pit toilets no water available. Sites of varying sizes from tent/car camp to small travel trailer or Rv. We stayed with a 30 ft class c no problem. Very quiet with easy access to Mt Taylor and only 15 min to Town of Grants for services. $10 per night self serve envelope in drop box when we were there.
Guide
This place is a little advertised spot. It certainly came at a great time for us. Traveling from Kentucky to Arizona is a long haul, but what more could you ask for than a nice place to stop over for a night. There’s a casino nearby if that’s your flavor. There’s also a gas station, grocery store, DQ, and all kinds of things as close as across the street!
Guide
Great rate for 30 A. I love to see the wild horses roaming the park.
Traveler
We spent a few nights here. It’s not a big campground and we came in without a reservation. I don’t think reservations are possible? The sites are pretty spaced out and shaded. I think there were about 16 sites total though there might be more. There are clean pit toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. Really nice hiking / mountain bike trails. The aspens are in the trails not the campground
RangerWe picked this free area for convenience (easy to get to from I40) and how it looked in photos.
What other reviews say about the start of the road being rough is correct. The wash areas are really poorly maintained. Once you get past this the road is pretty good.
We found a nice campsite and were able to get level in the pickup camper. Stayed two night and enjoyed the beauty.
Some complain about noise form I40, but if you come back into the area you can’t hear it.
Scout
in Campground I love to play cricket with family its really fun. and much other games like lows adventures 3
ScoutNice campground, camp sites are nicely spaced, plenty of shade under the pines, sites have picnic tables and fire pits, clean vault toilets, well maintained campground
ScoutCampgrounds easy to access. I did not have a site reservation, buit there were lots of vacent pads available. Nice view of the lake. Only drawback was the all night incessant winds. They were strong, gusty and loud. So strong they collapsed my tent on top of me. Notmuch sleep that night. It might have been where I was (pad 44), They were still strong in the morning, but I noticed they were less/non existant at the campsites near the main entrance. Just bewaye and be prepared.
TravelerI’m actually stuck here as I’m writing this because the rain washed out the road, and everything is so muddy. I was tired and the weather app said only a 50% chance of rain for an hour, but boy was that wrong. A nice spot besides that, close to the highway but far enough away to not have much noise. I would avoid it in the future without something 4x4 though.
RangerClaen vault toilets, well spaced and quiet sites. We'll maintained. No water. No hiking from campground. Some trails and dispersed camping 1/2 mi down road south.
Traveler
There were several spots. We did have to drive a couple miles to get away from other campers. Was perfectly fine after a day of cross country driving. Camped in a Jeep.
TravelerThis was a great find along the 40. The road is a bit long but it follows the 40 most of the way and is accessible for most cars. Though lower clearance may need to be careful at certain points. We found that the spots were far apart so we didn't have anyone near us.
I would definitely stay here again.
Traveler
Was pleasantly surprised by how nice this free campground was. Each site has a covered picnic table, grill, fire pit & garbage bin. They are spaced out nicely. There are pit toilets, but no water or dump facilities. These fill up fast, so come early. Most people leave early in the morning, so if you can get here before noon, you may get lucky. We arrived around 11 am & there were only 2 sites open. The road coming in was a bit rough and has quite a deep dip in the road. We were here in April and it stayed full.
TravelerWent about 2 miles up the road to find the last good spot. Found a few sites off of the road before this but all occupied. We got a site for 2 RVs that protected us from an impending windstorm. Sites not very level but managed to get the RVs level enough. Thoroughly enjoyed the area. Biked 6 miles up the road. Had cell service (Verizon and T-mobile).
Scout
Beautiful spot hard to find
ScoutStayed for ten days only saw three other campers. Very peaceful, rough in and out but made it with ease. wAtch out if it rains very muddy roads
Ranger
Great quiet dispersed camp ground. There were plenty of spots to choose from. The surrounding area is gorgeous! The camp spot is nestled in the trees and has plenty of shade for the summer months. Currently in April the picnic area was closed.
ScoutGreat Spot! Clean and easy to find. A bit bumpy to access. 2WD will only bring you to the first two sites. We were told from another camper that for all others you will need 4WD . Also it seems the access can become muddy after rain. You will probably need 4WD in that case too.
GuideFound this using this app. Spent three days/ two nights here. Set up by the little canyon and hiked down. Very peaceful.
ScoutI enjoyed my week at Joe Skeen in April 2024. If you camp near the top of the loop, overlooking the road below you'll get some cell service. I was in camp site 8 and have Tmobile I had 5G 2 bars, but it came in and out. I was still able to stream and use my phone hot spot. Nice cement pads with picnic tables, pavillion, fire pit and BBQ stands. Vault toilets with trash bins, but NO WATER! Be careful if you're towing anything, as my trailer bottomed out and bent the jack stand on my brand new car hauler trailer at the gulley in the road on the way into the campground. They should fill that in!! Check out my Utube journey's at: Candy's Catmobile RV Life on Utube. (:
GuideThe area is beautiful with a winding road that takes you farther if you want to go. I drove in about .25 mile and found a nice spot that others had used as a camp site.
The road getting to Six Mile Canyon is a little rough due to ruts, but we did fine in a Class C. Just went really slowly.
Camping near San Rafael, NM, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or a place to explore, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs.
Camping near San Rafael, NM, has something for everyone, from stunning views to family-friendly activities. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near San Rafael, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, San Rafael, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 30 campgrounds and RV parks near San Rafael, NM and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near San Rafael, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near San Rafael, NM is Joe Skeen Campground - El Malpais NCA with a 4.7-star rating from 25 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near San Rafael, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near San Rafael, NM.
What parks are near San Rafael, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near San Rafael, NM that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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